Abu Sayyaf frees woman trader in Jolo; ransom payment seen

Abu Sayyaf group. AP FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits freed a businesswoman on Wednesday evening after holding her in captivity for over a month, the military said Thursday.

Col. Allan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said Hadja Dengkim Yap was released to her family at the Jolo wharf between 9 and 10 p.m.

“She was secretly released at the vicinity of Jolo wharf,” Arrojado said over the phone.

“After her release, she immediately boarded a commercial vessel for Zamboanga city along with her husband,” the official added.

Yap was abducted on February 15 at Barangay Chinese Pier in Jolo.

The Sulu police said the Yap family refused to cooperate with authorities.

“Definitely there was ransom paid by the family,” said a police source, adding that the kidnappers had demanded P15 million for Yap’s release.

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